Defence of poesy. A Summary and Analysis of Percy Shelley’s ‘A Defence of Poetry’ 2022-10-30
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Poesy, or poetry, has long been a subject of criticism and debate. Some argue that it is a frivolous and unnecessary form of expression, while others believe it to be a vital and important part of human culture. In this essay, I will defend the value of poesy and argue that it serves a vital function in society.
One of the main criticisms of poesy is that it is obscure and difficult to understand. However, this is not necessarily a negative quality. In fact, the complexity and depth of poetic language can make it a powerful means of expressing emotions and ideas that might be difficult to convey through more straightforward language. Poetry allows writers to explore abstract concepts and ideas in a way that is both artistic and thought-provoking, and it can be deeply moving to readers who are able to connect with the poet's message.
Another argument against poesy is that it is not practical or useful in the same way that more practical subjects, such as science or math, are. However, this view ignores the important role that art and literature play in shaping our understanding of the world and ourselves. Poetry has the power to inspire and challenge us, and it can help us to see the world in new and different ways. It can also serve as a powerful form of social commentary, allowing writers to speak out against injustice and inequality.
Furthermore, poesy has a long and rich history that is an important part of our cultural heritage. Poets have played a significant role in shaping the way we think and express ourselves, and their works continue to be studied and revered today. From the ancient Greek poets to modern-day writers, poetry has had a profound impact on society and has helped to shape our understanding of the world and ourselves.
In conclusion, poesy is a valuable and important part of human culture. It is not merely a frivolous or unnecessary form of expression, but rather a powerful and meaningful way of exploring and expressing our thoughts, feelings, and ideas. Whether it is used to express deep emotions or to challenge and inspire us, poesy serves a vital function in society and should be celebrated and supported.
The Defence of Poesy Themes
A time there is for all, my mother often says, When she, with skirts tucked very high, with girls at football plays When thou hast mind to weep, seek out some smoky room: Now let those lightsome sights we see thy darkness overcome. Saint Paul himself sets a watchword upon philosophy, indeed upon the abuse. Here a Second Part of the Essay begins. Let it suffice to have showed it is a fit soil for praise to dwell upon; and what dispraise may be set upon it is either easily overcome, or transformed into just commendation. Truly they have made me think of the sophister that with too much subtility would prove two eggs three, and though he might be counted a sophister, had none for his labor.
The Defence of Poesy Sections IV, V, & VI & VII Summary and Analysis
For my part, I do not doubt, when Antonius and Crassus, the great forefathers of Cicero in eloquence, the one as Cicero testifieth of them pretended not to know art, the other not to set by it, because 53 with a plain sensibleness they might win credit of popular ears, which credit is the nearest step to persuasion, which persuasion is the chief mark of oratory,—I do not doubt, I say, but that they used these knacks, very sparingly; which who doth generally use any man may see doth dance to his own music, and so be noted by the audience more careful to speak curiously than truly. For as, in outward things, to a man that had never seen an elephant or a rhinoceros, who should tell him most exquisitely all their shapes, color, bigness, and particular marks; or of a gorgeous palace, an architector, with declaring the full beauties, might well make the hearer able to repeat, as it were by rote, all he had heard, yet should never satisfy his inward conceit with being witness to itself of a true lively 13 knowledge; but the same man, as soon as he might see those beasts well painted, or that house well in model, should straightways grow, without need of any description, to a judicial comprehending of them; so no doubt the philosopher, with his learned definitions, be it of virtues or vices, matters of public policy or private government, replenisheth the memory with many infallible grounds of wisdom, which notwithstanding lie dark before the imaginative and judging power, if they be not illuminated or figured forth by the speaking picture of poesy. This book was intended for the highly educated, and emerges from the culture of the court. Shakespeare was then but twelve years old, and it was ten years later that he came to London. First, that there being many other more fruitful knowledges, a man might better spend his time in them than in this.
But yet presuppose it were inseparable—as indeed it seemeth Scaliger judgeth—truly it were an inseparable commendation. Is it so wretched to die? It's the idea that imagination is really important as a distinguishing feature of poetry. And do they not know that a tragedy is tied to the laws of poesy, and not of history; not bound to follow the story, but having liberty either to feign a quite new matter, or to frame the history to the most tragical convenience? Anger, the Stoics said, was a short madness. So you can thank Sir Philip Sydney for all of that. No more in thy sweetness glory, For thy knitting hair be sorry; Use thy words but to bewail thee That no more thy beams avail thee; Dan, dan, Dan, dan, Lay not thy colours more to view, Without the picture be found true. Nay, let any history be brought that can say any writers were there before them, if they were not men of the same skill, as Orpheus, Linus, and some other are named, who, having been the first of that country that made pens deliver of their knowledge to their posterity, may justly challenge to be called their fathers in learning. Sidney lived in 16th century England and was one of the more important figures of the Elizabethan era - literature-wise and otherwise.
Join hearts and hands, so let it be, Make but one mind in bodies three. For, as I take it, to lie is to affirm that to be true which is false; so as the other artists, and especially the historian, affirming many things, can, in the cloudy knowledge of mankind, hardly escape from many lies. And so a conclusion not unfitly ensueth: that as virtue is the most excellent resting-place for all wordly learning to make his end of, so poetry, being the most familiar to teach it, and most princely to move towards it, in the most excellent work is the most excellent workman. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1. I praised her eyes, whom never chance doth move; Her breath, which makes a sour answer sweet; Her milken breasts, the nurse of child-like love; Her legs, O legs! Neither let this be jestingly conceived, because the works of the one be essential, the other in imitation or fiction; for any understanding knoweth the skill of each artificer standeth in that idea, or fore-conceit of the work, and not in the work itself. And we, having noted the grace of those words, hale them in sometime to a familiar epistle, when it were too much choler to be choleric. Which I speak to show that it is not riming and versing that maketh a poet—no more than a long gown maketh an advocate, who, though he pleaded in armor, should be an advocate and no soldier—but it is that feigning notable images of virtues, vices, or what else, with that delightful teaching, which must be the right describing note to know a poet by.
For delight we scarcely do, but in things that have a conveniency to ourselves, or to the general nature. Email contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official page at www. But I would this fault were only peculiar to versifiers, and had not as large possession among prose-printers, and, which is to be marvelled, among many scholars, and, which is to be pitied, among some preachers. Delight has a joy in it either permanent or present; laughter has only a scornful tickling. But drama bypasses the need for the audience to be literate. In sooth, thence where he himself alloweth community of women. No, no, no, no.
The defense of poesy ; otherwise known as An apology for poetry : Sidney, Philip, Sir, 1554
And that the poet has that idea is manifest, by delivering them forth in such excellency as he has imagined them. Poetry that contains these complementing elements has an ethical function to the readers. The application most divinely true, but the discourse itself feigned; which made David I speak of the second and instrumental cause as in a glass to see his own filthiness, as that heavenly Psalm of Mercy well testifies. So that, as in their calling poets the fathers of lies they say nothing, so in this their argument of abuse they prove the commendation. And where a man may say that Pindar many times praises highly victories of small moment, matters rather of sport than virtue; as it may be answered, it was the fault of the poet, and not of the poetry, so indeed the chief fault was in the time and custom of the Greeks, who set those toys at so high a price that Philip of Macedon reckoned a horserace won at Olympus among his three fearful felicities. Those kind of objections, as they are full of a very idle uneasiness since there is nothing of so sacred a majesty, but that an itching tongue may rub itself upon it , so deserve they no other answer, but, instead of laughing at the jest, to laugh at the jester.
But let those things alone, and go to man; Now Poesy, Of chief, both in antiquity and excellency, which they that did imitate the inconceivable excellencies of God; such were David in the Psalms; Solomon in the Song of Songs, in his Ecclesiastes, and Proverbs; Moses and Deborah in their hymns; and the writer of Job; which, beside others, the learned Emanuel Tremellius and Fr. As for my mirth, how could I but be glad, Whilst that methought I justly made my boast That only I the only mistress had? Sylla and Marius dying in their beds? The old song of Percy and Douglas, Chevy Chase in its first form. When your ideal world, wherein the whole man has been dimly struggling and inexpressibly languishing to work, becomes revealed and thrown open, and you discover with amazement enough, like the Lothario in Wilhelm Meister, that your America is here or nowhere. Alliteration and Assonance After performing humility for much of the poem—hesitating to compare poetry to David's Psalms, and disavowing his own talent as a poet—Sidney ends his essay with what can be considered an instance of verbal irony. Thirdly, Sidney implies a theory of metaphoric language in his work. By these, therefore, examples and reasons, I think it may be manifest that the poet, with that same hand of delight, doth draw the mind more effectually than any other art doth.
Nay, in themselves, they have, as it were, a kind of contrariety. Truly I could wish—if at least I might be so bold to wish in a thing beyond the reach of my capacity—the diligent imitators of Tully and Demosthenes most worthy to be imitated did not so much keep. This needs no further to be enlarged; the dullest wit may conceive it. Saint Paul himself, who yet, for the credit of poets, allegeth twice two poets, and one of them by the name of a prophet, setteth a watchword upon philosophy,—indeed upon the abuse. Yet had he great wants, fit to be forgiven in so revered antiquity.
